Professor Manika Walia is the Founding Dean of the School of Creativity at Rishihood University in Delhi NCR. She is a design educator and creative entrepreneur who is mentoring young individuals, guiding them towards constructive, sustainable, and meaningful design solutions in various domains.
As an Academic Administrator and Design Professor, she emphasizes the importance of not only understanding the subject matter but also encouraging students to explore beyond surface-level information. She encourages them to observe, critically analyze, collaborate in teams, develop analytical skills, and ultimately become successful and compassionate individuals. She has made a remarkable impact in renowned apparel and soft furnishing design studios across India, Hong Kong, and the U.S. Notably, she contributed her design expertise to prestigious projects such as the Jaipur City Palace – Atelier and the Ministry of Handicrafts and Textiles.
Her commitment to advancing design education led her to pursue Design Programme in the changing world at London College of Fashion in the UK.
Her doctorate in Design has given a new dimension to Design in India and creative economy. The creative economy, fueled by design thinking, not only contributes to economic growth but also enhances cultural exchange, social inclusion, and sustainability.
Manika Walia’s contributions extend beyond her design expertise. She has authored a significant number of publications and has conducted impactful workshops and development programs at both national and international levels. Her name is widely recognized and credited for these valuable contributions to the field.
Awards and Recognitions:
• Awarded for outstanding Academic Leader by International Business and Academic Excellence IBAE-2019 at The American College of Dubai, Dubai. UAE
• Awarded with Best Academia and Industry Collaborator; Global Education Awards 2019, India.
• Honoured for conducting design Workshop by The Micol Fontana, Fontana Couture, Florence, Italy.
• Faculty Development Program at Arts University of Bournemouth, UK.
• Recognition of work and Invitation to conduct 5 Days Design Thinking Workshop in Vietnam.
• Awarded as a Women Leader to bring in Change by I CAN Foundation, Nurturing Humanity, Jaipur, India.
• Awarded Excellence in Design, Research & Development towards the innovative development in the field of Design and Social Innovation from the Research Society, India.
Associations:
• Member World Design Organization, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Advisory Board Member, International Child Art Foundation, ICAF, Washington DC, USA.
• Advisory for Standardization of Sanad/certificate for Awards under Government of India reg.
• Appointed as “MENTOR OF CHANGE” by Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Ayog and IIT Delhi for a project on Vernacular Innovation Program.
• Member, Association of Designers of India
• Design Committee, CII National Centre of Design, India
• Editorial Board of International Journal of Advanced Study and Research Work
• Founding Editor for International Journal of Advances in Design and Innovation
• State President, Haryana Special Needs Council, National Business Chamber for Women, India
Projects and Research Undertaken:
• Design and Development of a Board Game for kindergarten school children on the recognition and phonics of Indian Symbols, Design Clinic, School of Creativity
• Independent project with Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA) “Waste2weave” Sustainable Textiles; the project was executed to develop home linen product category with the pearl pet yarn.
• Designing various casual & formal clothesline for the patients suffering from arthritis with Fortis Healthcare, India
• Designing and Developing “Happy Caps” for Haemato and Oncology Pediatrics Department, Medanata, The Medicity, Gurgaon and Raj Bala Foundation.
• Revamping the Atelier store of city palace Jaipur with the home textiles and apparel collection.
• Research project on developing fabric from Banana Fiber and further treating with medicinal plants extract for ANTI MICROBIAL FINISH, (DND)
• Designing Indigenous pollution masks for international market; United Kingdom India Business Council (UKIBC)
• Research and Conceptualization of the project on “Commemorative stamps on Indian Fashion Industry;” Project with Ministry of Communications, Philately Department; India.
• Research Assistant for ‘Traditional Handicrafts of Chhattisgarh’ in collaboration with Sehepedia, India.
• Conducting a study on “Process and Use of Traditional Dyeing Methods of Gujarat”; project by Ministry of Textiles, India.
• Conducting research on “Traditional handcrafted Jewellery of Kumaon, Uttarakhand “; project under Ministry handicrafts board, India.
Success is not measured by the absence of challenges, but by the ability to rise above them and make a meaningful impact. – Manika Walia
